After an exciting first day at the WTA Seoul Open, they entertaining action is set to continue on day two in the South Korean capital with another eight first-round matches on the schedule. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match, including Back Da-yeon vs Jelena Ostapenko. But who will secure their spot in the second round?
WTA Seoul Day 2 Predictions
Eva Lys vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
Head-to-head: Lys 1-0 Schmiedlova
Somewhat surprisingly, given their respective level of experience and accomplishment, Eva Lys won their only previous meeting, beating Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in three sets in the final in Trnava last season. That said, the German does appear to have a bright future and comes into this match in reasonably good form after coming through the qualifying without dropping a set in Beijing before taking a set of Jelena Ostapenko. But Schmiedlova has also impressed of late, making the final in Parma last time out. Don’t be surprised if her experience does prove to be the difference this time.
Prediction: Schmiedlova in 3
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Laura Pigossi vs Emina Bektas
Head-to-head: first meeting
This is big opportunity for both to reach the second round at a WTA-level event, not exactly a matter of routine for either. Laura Pigossi does have slightly more recent good form behind, reaching a semifinal at ITF-level in Caldas da Reinha in Portugal, but it would be a surprise if that had any real bearing on this match. She did play well to beat Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the qualifying in Beijing, however, and even if that was followed by a 1-6 1-6 loss against Peyton Stearns, it is enough to inspire some faith in her chances against Emina Bektas.
Prediction: Pigossi in 3
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Jessica Pegula vs Viktoria Hruncakova
Head-to-head: first meeting
Jessica Pegula has not yet managed to find her best tennis when it matters most (read: at a Major), but she continues to perform solidly away from the spotlight of the Grand Slams, reaching the final in Tokyo last month. She has since lost in the second round in Beijing to Jelena Ostapenko, but the Latvian can take the racquet out of just about any opponent’s hands. Viktoria Hruncakova is a fine player on her day, but she is not in Ostapenko’s class or, for that matter, Pegula’s.
Prediction: Pegula in 2Embed from Getty Images
Kayla Day vs Marie Bouzkova
Head-to-head: Bouzkova 2-1 Day
Marie Bouzkova can be a frustratingly inconsistent player, but it feels like she has made some progress towards solidity this season, expemplified by her current top-30 ranking. She is still not playing her very best tennis week-in week-out, but she is in good company in that score. Perhaps more to the point, she will likely not need to be at her very best to beat Kayla Day. The American did win one of their three previous matches, but only via Bouzkova’s retirement with injury in the third set. Perhaps more significantly, they played earlier this year and Bouzkova won in straight sets.
Prediction: Bouzkova in 2
Main photo credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
